Testimony and meaning: A qualitative study of Black women with cancer diagnoses.
- 1 October 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Psychological Association (APA) in Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology
- Vol. 27 (4), 728-735
- https://doi.org/10.1037/cdp0000465
Abstract
Objective: Research has established religion and spirituality as important resources for Black people in the U.S. coping with adversity. Most research has been from an etic perspective, examining religious variables that are valid across multiple religions. In the present study, we asked what emic aspects of the Black church's practices and theological emphases women with cancer drew on in constructing meaning-making narratives from their cancer experience. Method: In this consensual qualitative research study, we interviewed 30 Black women with cancer histories with an average age of 64.5. Results: The religious practice of testimony emerged as the predominant theme. Testimony (a) provided a meaningful purpose to the cancer experience; (b) had a specific content of describing what God had done in their lives as well as some common theological emphases; (c) had dual desired outcomes of helping others and bringing glory to God; and (d) had an associated practice of giving testimony. Conclusion: We discuss testimony as a narrative structure and highlight its importance in informing culturally sensitive interventions aimed at supporting Black women with cancer.Keywords
Other Versions
Funding Information
- John Templeton Foundation (61467)
This publication has 27 references indexed in Scilit:
- “I Knew From Day One That I’m Either Gonna Fight This Thing or Be Defeated”Journal of Family Nursing, 2013
- Racial/ethnic differences in spiritual well-being among cancer survivorsJournal of Behavioral Medicine, 2012
- Integrating the Study of Culture and Religion: Toward a Psychology of WorldviewSocial and Personality Psychology Compass, 2011
- Role of religious involvement and spirituality in functioning among African Americans with cancer: testing a mediational modelJournal of Behavioral Medicine, 2011
- Understanding Racial Disparities in Cancer Treatment and OutcomesJournal of the American College of Surgeons, 2010
- Spiritual Support and African American Breast Cancer SurvivorsAffilia, 2009
- Role of Religion in Cancer Coping Among African Americans: A Qualitative ExaminationJournal of Psychosocial Oncology, 2009
- Fear, Fatalism and Breast Cancer Screening in Low-Income African-American Women: The Role of Clinicians and the Health Care SystemJournal of General Internal Medicine, 2008
- Role of spirituality in cancer coping among African Americans: a qualitative examinationJournal of Cancer Survivorship, 2008
- Recruiting African American Men for Cancer Screening Studies: Applying a Culturally Based ModelHealth Education & Behavior, 2005